Joyce Meyer and the Prosperity Gospel

Question from a Site Viewer

Is Joyce Meyer a reliable teacher?

I have a family member who loves Joyce Meyer and her church relies upon Meyer’s Bible studies. Is she a Bible teacher you would recommend?

Tim’s Answer

You ask about Joyce Meyer. I have not followed Jocelyn Meyer much. I know that in some Christian circles she is well-liked and in some she is considered as teaching heresy. Yet, the statements that are cited as being heretical are simply quotes from here or there, not a systematic teaching as far as I have been able to tell. I am reluctant to judge someone based upon an errant, random statement. I have read the doctrinal statement of her ministry and am in agreement with it. She appears to hold to the Nicene Creed which is an important gauge of orthodoxy. She also emphasizes the study of Scripture, our identity in Christ, and overcoming temptation. There is much I like about her website and the teachings therein.

Yet, I have some problems with her as well. First, the lifestyle she lives seems extravagant to me. And she does not apologize for the opulence. While I do not believe that ministers of Christ need to take a vow of poverty, money and things do not stop attaching themselves to us simply because we are ministers of Christ. I was worried about the opulent lifestyle of Jim and Tammy Bakker back in the 80’s, before their ministry came tumbling down. I am equally worried about Joyce Meyer. Where our treasure is tells us much about where our hearts are.

Second, she teaches a charismatic message of prosperity in our spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial areas of life. She states that these blessings are then to be used to bless others and not to be used solely for financial gain. While I agree that we who are His people are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), this does not mean that we are prosperous in this life. Our spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial lives may come under severe attack, as Job shows us, as also Jeremiah describes in Lamentations 3, as Christ displayed in His life where even His spiritual life was agonizing with His Father in the garden, and as Paul and Peter so strongly teach. Paul goes so far as saying that if we did not have hope of the resurrection, we are of all people most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19). In fact, suffering is part of the gift God has granted His people (Philippians 1:29). Paul teaches contentment when abounding or suffering need (Philippians 4:11-12). I fear that the prosperity teaching will lead to an unreal expectation of what God will do, and a loss of faith when adversities seem to pile on.

Even though I am concerned about her opulent living, I commend her for being open about it. She fully complied with the requests of the United States Senate when they looked into her finances, and her ministry is a member of the evangelical financial monitoring group, something that other questionable ministries have refused to do. According to her site, over 80% of what comes into the ministry goes out through ministries. And the ministry makes its independently audited financial report free for anyone to review through the Internet.

The bottom line is that because I do not think that prosperity is the road of the believer on this earth (although there may be exceptions), I would not recommend Joyce Meyer. While she has much to say with which I agree, and I believe that she is a sister in Christ, I believe that scripture is clear that this life is a pilgrimage of trouble with our treasures laid up elsewhere. Christ not only suffered for us, but He left us an example that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). I do not find the prosperity gospel, even the somewhat toned-down prosperity teaching of Joyce Meyer, to be Biblical.

I hope this helps.

A pilgrim,

13 thoughts on “Joyce Meyer and the Prosperity Gospel”

While I understand Tim’s concern about the so-called prosperity gospel, sounds like he never had the chance to see or hear her much. I have seen Joyce Meyer in person several times and heard her on TV and radio. I have never heard her teach anything but God’s word and practical Christian living. While she may be well off today financially, she started out with nothing and was sexually abused by her own father as a child. No ministry is perfect, but I have found her teaching to be very Biblically sound overall. Her message is more along the lines of the power of positive thinking.

Well i have went to see her and whatched her show all the time. God opened my eyes to her she is straight up illuminati dont believe me just go look up Joyce Meyer busted on U tube she has the all seeing eye, pyramids, and a baphomet goat and the word sex on her shirt. If I would have been better at discernment of a pastor I never would have listened to her based on the fact that women are prohibited to be pastors by God look it up in the only book you need is the Bible.

Gerald B, your defense of JM’s prosperity gospel was self defeating. The power of positive thinking is all part of the post modern, charismatic influenced prosperity gospel. We don’t serve a genie in a bottle. We do not bring about our own health, wealth, happiness or even the furtherance of God’s kingdom by a sheer act of will.

King James Bible – Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Really, if you were to take the time to listen to complete messages, you would find that fully 90% or more of what she teaches is Biblically sound. Why not accept the true and reject the part with which you disagree ? I don’t embrace the so-called prosperity gospel either, but nevertheless the Bible is filled with positive-thinking scriptures. Makes me realize, I can do better.

Nicolle, Chris, Nikki (whoever) – Could you send me a link to the information that identifies Joyce Meyer with the Illuminati or the rest of the horrible stuff she is accused of? Anybody can say anything, and so often does, but I require proof or some kind of evidence I can examine myself. Obviously, everyone of us has many flaws and as the Bible itself states: “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.” (emphasis mine) on the ALL CAPS. Yes, that is in the Bible in Romans 3:4…

Joyce Meyer said If you don’t believe Jesus went to Hell, you cannot be saved: “His spirit went to hell because that is where we deserve to go . . . . There is no hope of anyone going to heaven unless they believe this truth,” (The most important decision you’ll ever make by Joyce Meyer, second printing, May, 1993, page 37). Here is more great info.https://carm.org/joyce-meyer

This is an old post, isn’t it? I don’t agree with several things that Joyce Meyer taught here, but these things were stated very early in her ministry. I don’t believe any of this is very recent. The other thing is that it actually does not rise to the level of heresy, despite the author’s statements. It is a different slant on why Jesus descended into the lower parts of the earth, as the Bible states, but it in no way detracts from the fact Joyce believes in Jesus as Savior as all sincere Christians do. Also, if references are going to be cited, then they should be available. Several of the videos did not work. Lastly, some of the quotes were poor grammar and today, at least, Joyce Meyer does not use poor grammar.

It is very hard to trust preachers, no matter how fluent they may be who live in the absolute lap of luxury, it is not New Testament teaching at all. Jesus had nowhere to lay his head and clearly taught we should not store up treasures on earth or expect our best life now based on being rich

Today a pastor told me that none of his team support Joyce Meyer( I’d quoted her in an article) .I have watched hundreds of her YouTube videos and read many of her books.Ive done my research and have this to add.His Word the centre of her teachings.She writes simply,is quick to admit her personal faults and is a powerful preacher.She clearly shows that by trusting Him completely you can overcome hard human odds be it child abuse, an abusive marriage or a need to control.I have not seen a focus on financial well being but spiritual wealth.She has a prosperous ministry but does that make her a prosperity ministry?. Be willing to listen to most of her sermons before you judge her…

I do believe that Joyce Meyer is biblically-sound. I have listened to her sermons and have read some of her books, and they are right on with scripture. I wish people would stop harassing her and making false accusations against her. These are from the enemy not from God.

I simply cannot honestly take these absurdly rich preachers seriously , if you read the teachings of our Lord Jesus you will understand why. Surely preaching the gospel is not Gods way of making a person able to live in total luxury. We’re the Disciples rich, was Paul rich, was Jesus rich,

Joyce Meyer doesn’t preach prosperity. Her teachings are mostly about trusting God even in hardships, walking in obedience, contentment etc.

And just because she is rich it doesn’t make her a false teacher. Scripture has some very harsh things to say about the wealthy, this does not mean that all of them are evil or under divine judgment. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Job were rich and yet were also approved by God. Just as poverty doesn’t guarantee virtue, wealth does not guarantee vice.